Giacomo Conterno Monfortino 2005

Tasting the 2005 Barolo Riserva Monfortino after the Cascina Francia is quite a shock. While the Cascina Francia is quite delicate, the Monfortino is a brute. Deep, dark and massively tannic, the 2005 is going to need as much as another decade to enter the early part of its drinking window. Sweet rose petal and mint notes gradually open up, but only offer a glimpse of what the 2005 will become. Monfortino is never giving in the early going (except right after bottling), so it is not much of a surprise to see it going through and awkward stage. Readers will have to be especially patient. Drink between 2025-2055.